Do It Yourself Oil Change

Do It Yourself Oil Change

Every car requires periodic maintenance other than filling it up with fuel, having it vacuumed and washed. Vehicles need oil changes several times a year, depending on how often it is driven. Lube shops usually charge a standard price for the average oil change. However, many people do not realize that they can save money when it comes to changing the oil in their vehicles when it is time. Car owners can easily learn how to perform oil changes themselves, and it does not require more time than it would if done at a lube shop. There is a simple step by step process to doing an oil change at home.

Be Sure to Have the Right Tools For the Oil Change

The first step in preforming an oil change easily is to make sure the proper tools are handy. A new oil filter is extremely important to have! Be sure to have a container, such as an old juice container to collect the run-off. A proper wrench will also be required to make removing the old filter simple. Proper oil for the vehicle is the most important part of this step. The owner's manual will indicate the kind of oil the car will run on. Check for the right weights and type. Going beneath the car will have to happen. In order to make that easier, blocks or wheel ramps will need to be purchased. Be sure to also have on hand a regular wrench and a funnel for allowing the oil to spill. The new filter and the other tools can be purchased from the mechanic or an auto and home supply store. A soda can sized object is important to have for the later part of this process. Do not forget to have a rag handy to clean up any messes that are guaranteed to happen during this process. Now that these tools are handy, get ready for the next step.

Warm Up the Car, Raise it and Drain it

The next step is to warm up the car for ten minutes, then shut it off. Warming up is a necessary step in order to help make the removal of the sludge from the engine quick and easy. Raise the car, and put the security brake on so the old oil can be drained. Put the container beneath the oil drain plug, use the standard wrench to loosen the bolt so the plug can be removed. Be very careful to keep away from the hot oil running down. Draining the old oil completely will take approximately ten minutes. Keep the plug in sight, as it will be needed in the end while each part is assembled together. The last step to this process is to once and for all replace the old oil, to make room for the new.

Remove the Old Filter and Replace it with the New, Along with the New Oil

The last part of this process is to finally change the filter. Open up the hood to find the oil filter. Put the soda can sized object under the hood to hold it up. Sometimes the oil filter is not found under the hood, and is beneath the car. Once the filter is found, loosen it with the proper oil filter wrench and take it out. Please be careful not to drip oil. Replace the old filter with the new one, and be sure to rub the new filter's seal with oil. Hands can be used to tighten it up instead of using the oil filter wrench as it can be too forceful. Find the oil cap under the hood of the vehicle, and be sure to use the right weight and amount for the model of the car. Replace the cap, and in a few moments, use the dipstick and check to see if oil levels fall between the low and full marks. These set of instructions sums up the process.

Instead of spending money to replace old oil and filters at lube shops, use this simple step by step process to save cash and do the job at home.